Poor world calls on West to share ‘clean’ technology

There is a widespread belief that stopping ozone layer depletion is more of a technological issue than anything else.

“Technology is… fundamental to enhancing existing abilities and emissions,” observe the Canada-based think tan International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development.

It argues that technology is required for improving the efficiency of energy use and making it possible for the world to use more renewable and cleaner energy sources such as solar, wind, biofuels and geothermal power.

The contribution of technology to a reduction in global warming is recognised in the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, which asks states to co-operate in the development and transfer of such technology.

This plea was strengthened during last year’s climate conference in Bali, Indonesia.

The Bali conference came up with what is now known as the Bali Action Plan which asked states to, among other things, make it possible for transfer of technology so that the world can mitigate climate change and adapt to its consequences.

The Plan also calls for the need to remove obstacles to technology transfer and to come up with incentives for developing cleaner technologies and encouraging them to be transferred among states.

But one year down the line, the developed world has shown little enthusiasm about embracing the Bali Action Plan.

In the various sessions at the Poznan conference, delegates from developed countries expressed opposition to the injection of public cash to jump start technological development in the developing world.

Rich countries favour the continuation of private investment in technological development.

They are also not ready to have the global intellectual property rights regime relaxed, meaning they want the developing world to continue purchasing clean technologies at exorbitant prices.